UCLA resolves expense-check dispute

LOS ANGELES – A conflict between UCLA players and Bruin staff over a decision to withhold expense checks because of missed workouts has once again raised questions about team unity and discipline within the UCLA program and overshadowed the Bruins' preparations for the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl.

As many as 45 UCLA players were not given checks for living expenses because they missed three workouts during final exams and failed to turn into athletic department officials academic progress forms last week, Bruin players said. UCLA players said the workouts were voluntary but were later told over the weekend they had been mandatory.

Under NCAA rules, schools can provide athletes with per diem for food and living expenses if they are required to remain on campus when school is not in session and do not have access to regular dining and accommodation options. The expenses in UCLA's case will be covered by the university's pay out from the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl. UCLA will receive $750,000 plus expenses for playing against Illinois in San Francisco on New Year's Eve Day.

The conflict quickly turned ugly on social media with Bruin players ripping the university, complaining that they were starving, and then other UCLA players criticizing their teammates for going public with the dispute.

"Honestly don't know how I'm going to eat these next few days," linebacker Aramide Olaniyan tweeted Sunday. "Genocide in Westwood."

Center Kai Maiava tweeted Sunday, "No check, no food, no hot water, NO LOVE!! What the hell is going on around here?!"

Bruin players were finally given their checks Sunday night and Monday and UCLA interim coach Mike Johnson was vague on Monday when asked whether the workouts were voluntary.

"I don't know about voluntary, but the thing I want to say about that is that the last thing we want to do is to have anybody starve," Johnson said after UCLA's 60-minute practice Monday. "That wasn't the intention at all. They're workouts that had to be done and all we wanted to do was get three workouts and that was it."

Johnson was asked again if the workouts were mandatory.

"They were workouts that were scheduled," he said. "It was a situation where we were in a bowl game and we do that. But this is a different place. You have finals and you have to study for finals so that was a misunderstanding and we got it hashed out this morning.

"The players are fine with it, we're fine with it and everything is OK.

"It was a situation where there was some miscommunication and there was some gap in communications. And it was a situation that we got fixed this morning and we're fine with the results. Nobody starved to death and everybody is on board getting ready for December 31st and it's all straightened out."

UCLA players said five workouts were scheduled last week and they could do three of the sessions. The players said they were not told the workouts were mandatory and that previous pre-bowl workouts during finals week had been voluntary. The players also were required to turn in academic exit forms verifying their progress.

But Bruin players said Will Peddi, director of player development, withheld the checks over the weekend from players that didn't attend at least three workouts and/or turn in the academic forms.

"Yesterday after practice we learned we weren't going to get our bowl checks because people missed workouts," wideout Randal Carroll said. "It was half the team. I thought it was wrong that they did that. They said workouts were mandatory, but never since I have been here have workouts been mandatory during finals week."

"I wouldn't say I was starving but I was kind of hungry," Maiava said. "I ate some stuff, I'm not 'broke' broke but I'm broke. I can afford some McDonalds."

Some players voiced their displeasure on Twitter. However, other Bruins were quick to criticize their teammates for going public with the dispute and maintaining the workouts were mandatory.

"You need money that bad, ask a teammate for a loan," Bruin punter Jeff Locke tweeted at Olaniyan. "Simple fix for 2 days til you make up the work we all did. On top of finals."

On Monday some of the players most vocal in criticizing the decision to withhold the checks seemed to be uncertain about whether the workouts were required or not.

"You come in any day you wanted to just had to get three before Friday and that's all that was said," said Maiava, who didn't attend any workouts and was one of a group of at least 30 players that did additional sprints after Monday's practice.

"I just had finals and stuff, I mean, I really got no excuse, I just didn't show up and I'm doing it now," Maiava said.

Both sides tried to downplay the friction within the team.

"It was definitely an issue the players had yesterday but it was quickly resolved," Locke said. "I think it's not an issue anymore. I think it was blown out of proportion by my teammates. It has been handled internally.''

, "Everything is cool," Olaniyan said adding that he had no hard feelings toward Locke. "I understand where he was coming from, but when guys can't feed themselves, there's nothing we can do besides complain. I don't have any problems with Jeff at all.

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